Texas AG Paxton files lawsuit against TikTok for violating a state law protecting minors

Texas GOP Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the social media platform TikTok for violating a state law. 

Paxton alleges that TikTok violated "The Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act," according to The Associated Press.

The law went into effect on Sep. 1. It bans social media companies from selling or even sharing a minor's information unless it has the approval of a guardian of the minor.

Paxton alleges in the lawsuit that TikTok has not complied with the law.

“I will continue to hold TikTok and other Big Tech companies accountable for exploiting Texas children and failing to prioritize minors’ online safety and privacy,” Paxton said in a statement. 

“Texas law requires social media companies to take steps to protect kids online and requires them to provide parents with tools to do the same. TikTok and other social media companies cannot ignore their duties under Texas law," the statement continued. 

A spokesperson for TikTok denied the allegations from the Texas attorney general. 

“We strongly disagree with these allegations and, in fact, we offer robust safeguards for teens and parents, including family pairing, all of which are publicly available,” TikTok spokesperson Jason Grosse said in a statement according to The AP. “We stand by the protections we provide families.”